One of the most joyful surprises of eeCAN's Living Rivers Community Art Exhibition was discovering just how powerfully our youngest artists could speak – and how much they had to say.

Among the many schools who took part in this landmark community project, Auriol School shone with a remarkable display of creativity, imagination, and environmental heart. A huge and heartfelt congratulations goes to Xenon Class and Emerald Class, whose contributions to the exhibition were nothing short of outstanding and were selected by the school representatives the winners.

Working with the theme of rivers and water, pupils from both classes produced artwork that was vivid, personal, and deeply felt. What made their pieces so special was not simply their visual quality – it was the stories and emotions behind them. When asked what inspired their work, the answers were as varied and wonderful as the artworks themselves:

"I saw a mountain next to a river and I loved it!" "The river next to my grandparent's house." "The Hogsmill river is near my house." "Sunny streams." "Water Vole release."

From distant mountain landscapes treasured in memory, to the quiet familiarity of a local river glimpsed on the walk to school – these children drew on their own worlds, experiences, and wonder to respond to a shared environmental message. Seeing their work displayed alongside that of local artists, charities, and community groups was a genuinely moving reminder of what community art can achieve when every voice is welcomed.

Their contribution served as a powerful reminder that environmental awareness does not begin in adulthood. It begins in a child noticing the shimmer of a stream, or marvelling at a water vole finding its way home.

To every pupil who made an effort – thank you! You made Living Rivers brighter, bolder, and more hopeful. We cannot wait to see what you create for Water is Life next year.

Inna Kucherenko

Lead Volunteer for eeCAN

Trustees and Members 2027 

Water is Life Community Art Exhibition

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Living Rivers brought together schools, art groups, local charities, and community volunteers under one roof at Epsom Square, creating a vibrant and diverse display of over 500 artworks. The exhibition's core objective was to raise awareness about the importance of local waterways and to invite people of all ages and backgrounds to reflect on the role water plays in our daily lives, our heritage, and our future. 

The response from the community was remarkable. Art groups including the U3A Art Group from Stoneleigh Library, Conquest Art, Art-K, PixelEde and We Are Artists contributed works that were rich in imagination and environmental feeling. Epsom Camera Club brought their renowned expertise to the exhibition, supporting the selection and presentation of artworks and helping to ensure the highest possible standard throughout. 

Caroline from River Mole River Watch and artist Pippa, both passionate advocates for the environmental arts, played a vital role in giving the exhibition its depth and purpose. Their talks on the closing day, exploring art's transformative role in environmental action, were among the most inspiring moments of the entire project – a reminder that creativity and activism are not just compatible, but deeply intertwined. 

The exhibition received a significant moment of recognition when the Mayor of Epsom and Ewell paid an official visit, acknowledging the importance of community-led environmental initiatives and celebrating the creative talent on display. The visit drew wider attention to the exhibition and to eeCAN's broader mission, and served as a proud milestone for everyone who had worked so hard to make Living Rivers a reality. 

As the final artworks came down and the exhibition drew to a close, there was no sense of an ending – only of a new beginning. Living Rivers has shown what is possible when a community unites around a shared vision, and the response from partners, artists, schools, and visitors has given eeCAN enormous confidence and energy for the year ahead. 

We are delighted to announce that the theme for next year's Community Art Exhibition has already been chosen: Water is Life. Building on everything that Living Rivers achieved, this new theme invites our community to explore water not simply as a resource, but as the very foundation of all living things – from our rivers and streams to the water that connects us across continents and generations. 

We hope that all who took part in Living Rivers will return for Water is Life, and that many more schools, artists, organisations, and individuals will join us. There is room for every voice, every perspective, and every creative vision. 

Watch this space, and thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, to everyone who made Living Rivers the extraordinary event it was.